And the converse of this concept (inverse/reverse???) may be true as well.  Just because a child may do well with the introduction of complementary solid foods at a "normal" age doesn't mean that there won't be issues in the future.  My best friend's ex-26-wkr now nearly 3yo has sensory issues involved with eating (leading to vomiting, how fun) but she looked great feeding when she was 8-12 months old.

My otherwise-healthy 2 1/2yo son still has significant dysphagia even though he very eagerly and seemingly safely began eating a nice range of foods starting at around 6 months.  His issue is primarily with liquids, though, and we are very very lucky that he does not have real feeding/drinking aversions (feeding therapist is amazed!).  He continues to breastfeed frequently although we have reluctantly started thickening his water and other milk, which helps considerably.  

As many others have said, it seems likely that a child would self-limit and not "want" to eat solids if there was an issue, rather than a family deliberately withholding solid foods from a child who was demonstrably ready leading to the development of feeding problems later on.  And it seems intuitive that moms who breastfeed may be more "in tune" into reading their infants' feeding cues, and not force a child who's not ready into starting in on solids.  Both my boys showed great interest in eating solids for a few weeks before we let them try, but it felt wrong to make them wait beyond 6 months.

SO much to learn about this!

Sarah Reece-Stremtan M.D. (peds anesthesiologist-to-be)
Washington DC

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